Betty L. Otto

Betty L. Otto, age 93, of Holstein, passed away on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, at the Good Samaritan Society of Holstein. A celebration of life will be held on Sunday, September 13, 2026, at 2:00 P.M. with a visitation held one hour prior to the service starting at 1:00 P.M. at the United Methodist Church of Holstein with the Pastor Kristin Boysen officiating. Burial will be at the Holstein Cemetery of Holstein. In lieu of flowers, those who wish may make a memorial donation to the United Methodist Church of Holstein or to the American Legion Dessel-Schmidt Post #225 of Holstein.

Betty Lou (Melton) Otto was born on June 23, 1933, in Cherokee, Iowa, to Lester and Louie Audrey (Beardshaw) Melton. She graduated from Cherokee High School in 1951.

Betty met her future husband, Henry, at a local roller-skating rink, where the two enjoyed showing off their skating skills. They were united in marriage on March 31, 1951, in Colorado Springs, Colorado. To this union, three children were born.

Betty and Henry made their home in Holstein, Iowa, where they raised their family. Betty worked as a legal secretary for Jesse H. Leonard from 1966 until her retirement in 1995.

Betty was a longtime and faithful member of the United Methodist Church of Holstein, where she served as a Sunday school teacher. She was also actively involved in her community, serving as a Girl Scout leader and participating in Rainbow and the American Legion Auxiliary.

Betty cherished spending time with family and friends. She and Henry were members of two card clubs, and shared a love of Bingo, both playing and calling the games. She also enjoyed bowling and golfing.

She is survived by her daughters, Patricia (Robert) Hartley of Adel, IA, Julie (George) Wienert of Beaumont, TX; grandchildren, Bart (Leslie) Banwart, Amy (Andrew) Long, Ross Wienert, Ashley Warren, Jessica (Michael) Mazzella, Jason (Jamy) Dolde and Jodi Dolde and great-grandchildren, Jackson (Madison) Banwart, Lincoln Banwart, Carter Banwart, Tyler Banwart, Landry Long, Jalen Long, Henry Wienert, Zoe Warren, Kyah Warren, Wade Warren, Geovani Mazzella, Naomi Mazzella and Bella Fischer.

Betty was preceded in death by her husband, Henry; daughter, Vickie (Otto) Dolde; parents, Lester and Louie Melton; brothers, Robert A. Melton and William A. Melton; sister, Audrey Sleezer; brother-in-laws, Eddie Witt, Francis Fell and John Sleezer; sister-in-laws, Verna Melton, Iona Fell, Lorna Witt, Frances Melton and Alice Heitmann; son-in-law, William Banwart and nephews, Mike Sleezer and Jerry Lee Sleezer.